macOS Tahoe has introduced a frustrating issue for some Mac users, particularly those using Apple’s Studio Display. Since the update launched in September, multiple reports suggest that the display can intermittently flicker, and recent updates appear to have made the problem worse rather than better.
What Studio Display Users are Experiencing
Studio Display owners report brief but noticeable flickering that occurs sporadically throughout normal use. In many cases, the issue appears when switching between apps with bright or white backgrounds, or while scrolling through webpages with light content.
The flicker itself is usually quick, but some users report repeated flickers over several seconds. Transitions from dark content to lighter screens seem especially likely to trigger the problem, although it can also occur seemingly at random.
Importantly, this is not limited to one specific Mac model. Users with MacBook Pro systems running macOS Tahoe have reported the same behavior, and there are also complaints from people using other external displays. That suggests the issue may be broader than just the Studio Display.
Updates Have Not Fixed the Issue
So far, Apple’s follow-up updates have not improved the situation. Both macOS Tahoe 26.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 appear to leave the bug intact, with some users saying the flickering has become more frequent in recent weeks.
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In real-world use, the problem can be distracting, especially for anyone who spends long hours working with documents, browsers, or creative apps that rely heavily on light interfaces. While the display remains usable, it is not the experience users expect from Apple’s premium hardware.
Software Issue, Not hardware
At this point, there is no indication that the flickering is caused by faulty hardware. The consistency of reports across multiple setups strongly suggests a software bug introduced with macOS Tahoe.
Because the issue specifically affects how the display behaves under certain visual conditions, a firmware update for the Studio Display or a macOS patch could potentially resolve it. Apple has addressed similar display-related bugs in the past through software fixes rather than hardware replacements.
What You Can Do Right Now
There is no confirmed workaround, but some users report fewer flickers when using darker system themes or avoiding rapid transitions between bright apps. These are not real fixes, but they may help reduce how often the issue appears until Apple rolls out an official solution.
If you are affected, submitting feedback through Apple’s Feedback Assistant can help bring more attention to the problem.
Waiting on Apple
For now, Studio Display owners are stuck waiting for Apple to acknowledge and fix the issue. Given how widespread the reports are becoming, it is reasonable to expect a future macOS update or display firmware release to address the flickering.
Until then, macOS Tahoe remains a less-than-ideal update for users relying on Apple’s external displays for daily work.
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